Stainless steels for springs having a high strength and an excellent fatigue resistance are produced by heat treating austenitic stainless steels having such a composition that austenite stability index, Md.sub.30. is 0.degree. C. to +80.degree. C. at a final annealing temperature of 750.degree.-1,150.degree. C., subjecting the thus treated steels to a primary working at a temperature from Md.sub.30 to 500.degree. C. at a reduction rate of not less than 20% and then subjecting said steels to a secondary working at a temperature lower than Md.sub.30 at a reduction rate of not less than 30%.